jewish core values

Jews for Jesus worked with the Barna Group on a groundbreaking survey to learn what Jewish Millennials have to say about their spiritual identity. Their answers are shocking—in a good way! And helpful for having meaningful conversations about Jesus…

Jewish Core Value Honor of parents, called kibud av va’em (“honor of father and mother”) Old Testament Basis The commandment to honor* one’s parents is found in both versions of the Ten Commandments, where it comes attached to a promise from God. (*Some translations say “fear” or “be in awe of.”) Honor your father and…

Jewish Core Value Do not oppress the stranger, orphan, and widow. Or phrased more positively, to extend help to the vulnerable of society. In Traditional Jewish Life According to Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, more than just material support of widows and orphans is required. He cites the medieval sage Maimonides: “A man ought to be especially…

Jewish Core Value Tzedakah, meaning both “justice” and “charity” Pronunciation Rhymes with “red rocka.” “Tz” is pronounced as in “its.” In Traditional Jewish Life The connection between justice and charitable giving is simple: giving to charity (referred to as “giving tzedakah“) promotes justice. As one pamphlet put it, ” ‘Tzedakah’ is usually translated as ‘charity,’…

A Satmar Orthodox Jewish man once told me, “Messianic Jews aren’t Jewish!” He went on to add, “Reformed, Conservative, Hassidic and most ‘Orthodox’ Jews aren’t really Jewish either. . . .” Jewish identity was a simple matter for him. Real Jews follow the teachings of the Satmar rebbe. But for most Jewish people, including Jewish…